DWS Regional Programs
West Africa
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Ex-combatant girls arrive at the Buchanan
demobilization site after turning in their weapons on 20 April 2004.
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West Africa has suffered the ravages of civil war for more than a decade. Some of the least developed countries in the world have faced unrelenting violence and death, the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people, and the almost total destruction of physical and social infrastructure. The critical focus of the last few years has been emergency relief, rehabilitation and return of refugees and displaced persons. Integrated in these responses are the community-building activities that support empowerment and the building of sustainable communities.
With the end of hostilities in the region, LWF's significant experience in working for peace and reconciliation, combined with international and regional relationships and grassroots presence in local communities through its member churches, are being used effectively through the LWF/DWS West Africa Program. LWF works closely with partners in providing psychosocial care and seeking to heal trauma. From this collaborative experience, the Church of Sweden and Norwegian Church Aid have produced a manual on psychosocial care in emergency and disaster situations.
Within the region, follow-up activities from the LWF-sponsored Interfaith Peace Summit for Africa (Johannesburg, October 2002) have affirmed religious diversity as a rallying point for co-operation in resolving conflicts and joint action for peace.
The LWF/DWS West Africa Program is implemented in:
Liberia
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IDP family moving toward Monrovia. May 2002 © LWF/DWS Liberia/C. Pitchford |
The slow pace of disarming and rehabilitating combatants from the recent civil war sustains the fear of returning for about 350,000 refugees and 400,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs). Towns and villages have been destroyed, and government structures to provide basic social services need to be reestablished. The arrival of UN peacekeepers and the establishment of a provisional government late in 2003 provides hope that communities can safely begin to rebuild.
During the recent crisis, the LWF/DWS Liberia Program reverted to an emergency intervention posture, while retaining capacities to return to rehabilitation and development. During the war, tens of thousands of people came to the capital seeking refuge, thus generating a serious humanitarian crisis. With funding from ACT (Action by Churches Together) and related partners, LWF mobilized to address basic needs including food, shelter, water and sanitation. ACT also supported advocacy and awareness activities on issues of child protection, sexual gender based violence, and HIV/AIDS.
DWS has applied its significant experience in camp management and subsequent rehabilitation to manage two camps housing refugees and IDPs, and to build and operate two of Liberia's four demobilization camps, where ex-combatants are disarmed and given basic reintegration orientation.
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With the help of the LWF/DWS Liberia program, George Togba and 30 compatriots have turned spent bullets and rocket shells into symbols of peace. |
While this aid continues, the emphasis in 2004 has shifted to heal the trauma and promote reconciliation for building sustainable peace. LWF/DWS was one of the few international NGOs to remain in Liberia during the difficulties of the past few years. This has created significant trust with the local populations, which will enhance peace-building activities that aim to strengthen community and civil structures.
A Lutheran Church in Liberia (LCL) project receives support for various activities to strengthen community and civil structures. This follows a year when planned activities of all projects were impeded by the war and severe travel restrictions. The project supporting food security for more than 17,000 Sierra Leonean refugees in Liberia was able to continue during most of 2003.
Working with the LCL, DWS has made the transition from providing emergency response during the 1990s civil war, to emphasizing development programs since 2000. To develop local capacities, DWS assisted the LCL with the formation of a church-related NGO, Lutheran Development Service.
For more information on Liberia, please check the ELCA's Walking With Liberia page.
Sierra Leone
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Refugees receiving skills
training in tailoring. |
Since the end of the civil war in 2002, Sierra Leone struggles to consolidate peace and advance recovery. As the country at the bottom of the UN Index of Human Development, Sierra Leone faces considerable challenges: pervasive poverty; a fragile justice system; dilapidated infrastructure; absence of adequate social services; tens of thousands of refugees in neighboring countries; and 70,000 Liberian refugees within the country.
Most LWF/DWS activities are coordinated with activities of other ACT implementing partners in Sierra Leone. Funding is provided by UN related agencies, the World Bank and ACT. The focus is on post-war reconstruction and recovery, and assistance to Liberian refugees in Sierra Leone, with five main components:
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rehabilitation of farming activities to increase food security
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rebuilding infrastructure such as wells and latrines
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distribution of donated non-food items to refugees
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camp management for Liberian refugees
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transportation of returnees, refugees and relief commodities
Community based recovery projects promote self-reliance through sustainable livelihoods, infrastructure development and strengthening local basic services.
Projects in line with the CSO are implemented on behalf of UN agencies and LWF related agencies, including:
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assistance to the most vulnerable Liberian refugees with basic medical and educational needs
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water and sanitation activities
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HIV/AIDS awareness and sensitization
Following a request of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sierra Leone (ELCSL), the LWF/DWS Liberia Program started activities in Sierra Leone in 2000 to support the ELCSL's relief operations, which are linked to relief and rehabilitation activities conducted by the Council of Churches in Sierra Leone.
For further information please contact:
Mr Duane Poppe, Program Officer
Local representative
Ms Elke Leidel, Regional Representative
